A few days ago, my sister, a friend and l embarked on a journey to the north of the country, a region famed for narcos, cowboys and ... well narcos. Bucking the advice of all of the paranoid friends who watch fox news and even from the paranoid Mexicans who all advised us not to go, we strapped on our backpacks, booked cheap flights and were on our way. Along the way, in our 5 nights and 6 days spent in awe at all the north has to offer (both culturally and naturally) and learning a number of lessons along the way.
Burritos really do exist in Mexico
Growing up in Australia, it was always believed that the most quintessentially Mexican food in the world was burritos. In Puebla however, it seems that it is near impossible to find a burrito anywhere but the most touristy of restaurants. Having heard that margaritas (another 'Mexican drink') actually came from the states and not from Mexico, and hearing from other exchange students in Mexico that burritos were a gringo creation, I began to worry that burritos were a figment of my imaginary Mexico. But as soon as I arrived in the north of Mexico, lo and behold, there were burritos! Big ones, small ones, burritos in all different flavours, prices and qualities, it seems that Burritos are truly as Mexican as mole, panzas and Chicharito, but they are a regional specialty and a big drawcard for Chihuahua.
Stereotypes exist for a reason
When I was in Mexico City (and Oaxaca for that matter) I had the displeasure of meeting a revolting, pretentious hippy who, having done the Mexican gringo trail, considered himself quite the authority on Mexican culture and life. As he was waxing on about the false stereotype of cowboys, sombreros, bigotes and ponchos, I gently reminded him that in fact all of these DO exist, just further north than his 'pretentious, idiot, gringo guide to Mexico' told him. Walking through certain towns, every second shop it appeared seemed to be selling cowboy boots, sombreros or tacos. Men had moustaches, worked as rancheros and I think I even saw a pair of spurs (though I couldn't quite be certain). Mexican cinema from the 40s is certainly not a holistic and comprehensive indication of Mexican culture today, although stereotypes have all come from somewhere and it seems that in certain parts of the country the cowboy spirit is alive and well.
The Drug situation in Mexico is screwing some people hard
While the copper canyon route through Chihuahua is not exactly off the beaten trail, while we were there, we barely saw any other travellers where we were. Was it because we were the dumbasses who went during the cold season? Perhaps. But most likely, and as was confirmed by many locals, since the north got dangerous 6 years ago, tourism has declined dramatically, and the once burgeoning tourism industry was reduced to little more than a trickle. Hotel owners dropped their prices to a level where they surely can't have been turning much of a profit from us and a lot of tourism infrastructure lay empty as it waited for some people to come. Tumbleweed would have been blowing down the street were it not frozen solid and although we were blessed with views unobstructed by some obnoxious tourist with a revolting southern drawl, it was sad to see how the economy of this beautiful area had been ruined thanks to bad politics.
Some people are just never impressed
Despite being on one of the world's most beautiful railway journeys, we were seated on the train opposite some truly horrid looking people who seemed to prefer to stick their beaks in a book rather than admire the scenery that presumably they had paid so much to come and see. Although it was a daytime train journey and the nature was interesting and stimulating for the majority of the trip, these people were more interested in reading to even look up and out the window. Were they just not impressed by the scenery? Bored? Or were their books really just that good. Whatever their reasoning was, it's amazing how blase some people can be.
Camping is evil
While this sounds like quite a general statement, I can only suggest that camping in the north is NOT the best idea. Both times we had the displeasure of being so cold and uncomfortable that we counted down the minutes to the sunrise, just waiting for the opportunity to get out of the tent and to do something other than camping. Freezing temperatures, too many people in a small tent and hard horrible ground, as well as food stealing creatures and a lack of spooning coordination made us wish for a real bed and some creature comforts. Yes we saved money, but for the longest 2 nights in the world, I don't think we can say that it were worth it, not even in hindsight.
Basically the north of Mexico (where we visited) is a stunning,diverse and interesting place where people are incredibly warm and nice, where you won't see revolting hippy boy types and where the steak is amazing. Not once did we feel in anyway in danger (except from dying of the cold) and the drug situation is barely visible to most regular tourists. I would recommend to anyone a visit to this lovely part of Mexico and to enjoy it before a non-shit government fixes the country, the drug war ends, tourism increases to the area and prices skyrocket once again. Just don't bring a tent!
PS. I swear the Mexican tourism industry has NOT paid me to say any of this
Burritos really do exist in Mexico
Growing up in Australia, it was always believed that the most quintessentially Mexican food in the world was burritos. In Puebla however, it seems that it is near impossible to find a burrito anywhere but the most touristy of restaurants. Having heard that margaritas (another 'Mexican drink') actually came from the states and not from Mexico, and hearing from other exchange students in Mexico that burritos were a gringo creation, I began to worry that burritos were a figment of my imaginary Mexico. But as soon as I arrived in the north of Mexico, lo and behold, there were burritos! Big ones, small ones, burritos in all different flavours, prices and qualities, it seems that Burritos are truly as Mexican as mole, panzas and Chicharito, but they are a regional specialty and a big drawcard for Chihuahua.
Stereotypes exist for a reason
When I was in Mexico City (and Oaxaca for that matter) I had the displeasure of meeting a revolting, pretentious hippy who, having done the Mexican gringo trail, considered himself quite the authority on Mexican culture and life. As he was waxing on about the false stereotype of cowboys, sombreros, bigotes and ponchos, I gently reminded him that in fact all of these DO exist, just further north than his 'pretentious, idiot, gringo guide to Mexico' told him. Walking through certain towns, every second shop it appeared seemed to be selling cowboy boots, sombreros or tacos. Men had moustaches, worked as rancheros and I think I even saw a pair of spurs (though I couldn't quite be certain). Mexican cinema from the 40s is certainly not a holistic and comprehensive indication of Mexican culture today, although stereotypes have all come from somewhere and it seems that in certain parts of the country the cowboy spirit is alive and well.
The Drug situation in Mexico is screwing some people hard
While the copper canyon route through Chihuahua is not exactly off the beaten trail, while we were there, we barely saw any other travellers where we were. Was it because we were the dumbasses who went during the cold season? Perhaps. But most likely, and as was confirmed by many locals, since the north got dangerous 6 years ago, tourism has declined dramatically, and the once burgeoning tourism industry was reduced to little more than a trickle. Hotel owners dropped their prices to a level where they surely can't have been turning much of a profit from us and a lot of tourism infrastructure lay empty as it waited for some people to come. Tumbleweed would have been blowing down the street were it not frozen solid and although we were blessed with views unobstructed by some obnoxious tourist with a revolting southern drawl, it was sad to see how the economy of this beautiful area had been ruined thanks to bad politics.
Some people are just never impressed
Despite being on one of the world's most beautiful railway journeys, we were seated on the train opposite some truly horrid looking people who seemed to prefer to stick their beaks in a book rather than admire the scenery that presumably they had paid so much to come and see. Although it was a daytime train journey and the nature was interesting and stimulating for the majority of the trip, these people were more interested in reading to even look up and out the window. Were they just not impressed by the scenery? Bored? Or were their books really just that good. Whatever their reasoning was, it's amazing how blase some people can be.
Camping is evil
While this sounds like quite a general statement, I can only suggest that camping in the north is NOT the best idea. Both times we had the displeasure of being so cold and uncomfortable that we counted down the minutes to the sunrise, just waiting for the opportunity to get out of the tent and to do something other than camping. Freezing temperatures, too many people in a small tent and hard horrible ground, as well as food stealing creatures and a lack of spooning coordination made us wish for a real bed and some creature comforts. Yes we saved money, but for the longest 2 nights in the world, I don't think we can say that it were worth it, not even in hindsight.
Basically the north of Mexico (where we visited) is a stunning,diverse and interesting place where people are incredibly warm and nice, where you won't see revolting hippy boy types and where the steak is amazing. Not once did we feel in anyway in danger (except from dying of the cold) and the drug situation is barely visible to most regular tourists. I would recommend to anyone a visit to this lovely part of Mexico and to enjoy it before a non-shit government fixes the country, the drug war ends, tourism increases to the area and prices skyrocket once again. Just don't bring a tent!
PS. I swear the Mexican tourism industry has NOT paid me to say any of this
Nice points gabby.. showed one thing that im sure about.. places out of the tourism route surely hides the most traditionals, interesting, cultural roots of the country, althought having inumerous problems like violence and poverty.. its must-go plces to deeply experience the country.. its like that in brazil or colombia or elsewhere...
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